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“I first met Don when we were in basic training at Fr. Deven,Mass. in 1950. We became close friends and I visited his parent's home for Christmas of...Read More »
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1 of 19 | Posted by: pAUL cARTER hOLMES - Richmond, VA

“Dear Carol, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you celebrate the marvelous life your father had and passed on to you all. ...Read More »
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2 of 19 | Posted by: Janet Selzer - El Paso, TX

“Mr. Harriss was a sweet man and I send my condolences to his family and friends. He was a friend to our organization, the Catholic Schools Foundation...Read More »
”
3 of 19 | Posted by: Melissa O. - Boston, MA

“My sincere sympathy to Don's family. Having known Don for over 50 years while living in Lynnfield and seeing the results of his many activites, he...Read More »
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4 of 19 | Posted by: Ethel Leonard - Peabody, MA

“My sympathy to Don's family. Having known Don for over 50 years and seen the efforts he put into the town of Lynnfield, he will be missed. He has...Read More »
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5 of 19 | Posted by: Ethel - Peabody, MA

“Donald was a great leader of the class of 1948 and a wonderful and thoughtful friend.He enabled his classmates to enjoy our many memories and renew...Read More »
”
9 of 19 | Posted by: Ray Goldberg - Cambridge, MA

“We are thinking of you and praying for you at this time of sorrow. Uncle Donald was always a person to strive to be like, and live with the...Read More »
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10 of 19 | Posted by: Michael Colleran - Paso Robles, CA

“MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL DURING THIS DIFFICUTL TIME. DON HARRIS WAS A WONDREFUL MAN AND AN ASSET TO THE TOWN OF LYNNFIELD.
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11 of 19 | Posted by: SUSAN NUGENT - LYNNFIELD, MA

“Donald - or Domhnall, as we sometimes called him in the Harvard Celtic Department - is one of the sparkiest, dearest people I've met. So full of fun...Read More »
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12 of 19 | Posted by: Kate Chadbourne - Lunenburg, MA

“To Nancy and all of Donald's survivors,
Don was a wonderful aquaintance on the beach for many years.
I missed him dearly when his camp was lost but...Read More »
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14 of 19 | Posted by: Mac MacAuslan - Brockton, MA

“Good Bye Donald, I was very lucky to meet you and keep in my memory such great human being we all miss you
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16 of 19 | Posted by: Serafin Ibanez

“Dear Carol, What a legacy your father left you. Please remember that you are loved by the community that you have served in El Paso. My love and...Read More »
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17 of 19 | Posted by: Edward Endlich - El Paso, TX

DonaldHarriss of Lynnfield, Massachusetts died on Saturday, October 9, 2010 in England, following a brief illness. He was 83 years old. Donald was the husband of the late Evelyn Colleran Harriss with whom he had six children. He lived most of his life in Lynnfield, having been brought up in South Lynnfield not far from the Newburyport Turnpike. In 1938, at age eleven, Donald moved to Stafford, England with his family. While in England, Donald attended Downside School in Somerset and matriculated at Cambridge University (Trinity College) in October 1944. At the end of the war, in 1945, Donald and his family returned to their home in Lynnfield. Donald transferred to Harvard University, graduating in 1948. He received an Ed.M. from Boston College and in 1958, a Ll.B. from B.C. Law School. He passed the Massachusetts Bar in 1958. Although he never actively practiced law, he remained a member of the Massachusetts Bar. From 1950-1952, during the Korean War, Donald served in the 278th RCT, with 6 months of that time spent on duty in Iceland. He taught math in South Paris, Maine and at Malden High School. In 1956, Donald joined his father and brother as a partner in their firm, International Advisory Service. The company specialized in advising European footwear manufacturers regarding advanced American production and retailing methods. IAS also successfully acted as the USA sales agents for two UK leather manufacturers and a shoe machinery manufacturer. Later the firm became the North American agent for Investa of Prague, Czechoslovakia. As the official government marketing company for Strojsvit of Krnov, Investa brought to the world the "Molissa" Staking machine, an advanced but simple machine that revolutionized leather processing. IAS introduced this machine into practically every tannery in North American. Donald stayed with IAS until 1978 at which time he formed his own company, Harriss International Corporation. Until 1986, HIC represented European manufacturers at which time he merged his company with the American subsidiary of a German firm called Dynatan. He retired in 1992 after having served as president of the USA branch. Donald, following in the footsteps of his father, was very much involved in the life of Lynnfield. He was an original member of the Conservation Commission and served on the Planning Board in two separate terms for a total of 29 years. He also served on the Board of Appeals. His total official service to the town was 39 years. In addition to his official positions Donald was involved in the organization of the Lynnfield Scholarship Foundation, was president of Townscape Inc. and was President of the Lynnfield Historical Society for 5 years. As an agreeable and patient individual, he got along with people easily. He was particularly proud of the work of Townscape. With the industry and enthusiasm of the members and the cooperation of the DPW, nearly 700 trees were planted along the streets of Lynnfield and in the parks and cemeteries. As president of the Historical Society, he obtained funds from a charitable foundation, enabling the Society to give the 1714 Meeting House a second breath and get it well on its way to its next 100 years. DonaldHarriss valued education and always appreciated the educational opportunities that came his way. He stayed connected with his old school in England and also with Cambridge, Harvard and Boston College. As a member of the Harvard Class of '48, he was chairman of their 30th and 45th reunions and co-chair of the 50th, 55th and 60th. He was a supporter of the Friends of Harvard Celtic Studies and was a member of Kirkland House Senior Common Room. Donald was a strong supporter of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund, which actively supports Boston's parochial schools. He was a long-time member of the Lynnfield Rotary Club and involved in many other volunteer activities, including Windrush Farm and Reading for the Blind. Mr. Harriss leaves daughters Joan of Horseheads, New York, Gail of Durango, Colorado, Carol Manning of El Paso, Texas, and Nancy Harriss-Bauer of Seattle, Washington; sons Paul of Hunt Valley, Maryland and Brian of Powder Springs, Georgia; with their much loved spouses, James Murphy, Charlie Higby, Steven Manning, Karel Bauer and Rebecca Harriss, as well as 11 grandchildren, his brother Robert of Lynnfield and sister Anne Bugbee of Bennington, Vermont. Donald also leaves his close and dear friend, Prudence Markos, of Ipswich, Mass. His funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home 19 Yale Ave. Wakefield on Tuesday at 9am to be followed by a funeral mass in St. Maria Goretti Church 112 Chestnut St. Lynnfield at 10:00. Visitation at the McDonald Funeral Home will be held Monday from 4-8pm. Interment will be at Willow Cemetery in Lynnfield. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lynnfield Historical Society, Inc, PO Box 274, Lynnfield, MA 01940; The Inner-City Scholarship Fund , Catholic Schools Foundation, 260 Franklins Street, Suite 630, Boston, MA 02110 or Downside School, Somerset, England.

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Memories & Candles

I first met Don when we were in basic training at Fr. Deven,Mass. in 1950. We became close friends and I visited his parent's home for Christmas of 1950. His parents were wonderful to me and treated me like family. Don visited me whenever he was in San Francisco and also came to Miami a few years ago when I lived there. We always sent Christmas cards to each other and kept in touch. When I didn't get a card

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I first met Don when we were in basic training at Fr. Deven,Mass. in 1950. We became close friends and I visited his parent's home for Christmas of 1950. His parents were wonderful to me and treated me like family. Don visited me whenever he was in San Francisco and also came to Miami a few years ago when I lived there. We always sent Christmas cards to each other and kept in touch. When I didn't get a card this year I looked him up on the internet and discovered he was no longet with us. A strange feeling since I guess one thinks life goes on forever and when it ends it is a shock. I am sure you miss him since he was a great father and very proud of all of you. My sincerest condolences to all of you.

Posted by: pAUL cARTER hOLMES - Richmond, VA - firiend Dec 30, 2010

Dear Carol, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you celebrate the marvelous life your father had and passed on to you all. Take care and looking forward to your safe return to El Paso.

Posted by: Janet Selzer - El Paso, TX Oct 19, 2010

Mr. Harriss was a sweet man and I send my condolences to his family and friends. He was a friend to our organization, the Catholic Schools Foundation/Inner City Scholarship Fund and was always a pleasure to interact with. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Sincerely, Melissa Ouellette

Posted by: Melissa O. - Boston, MA Oct 18, 2010

My sincere sympathy to Don's family. Having known Don for over 50 years while living in Lynnfield and seeing the results of his many activites, he leaves a wonderful legacy. Always cheerful and friendly, he will be missed.

Posted by: Ethel Leonard - Peabody, MA Oct 18, 2010

My sympathy to Don's family. Having known Don for over 50 years and seen the efforts he put into the town of Lynnfield, he will be missed. He has left a wonderful legacy to those who knew him.

Posted by: Ethel - Peabody, MA Oct 18, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Posted by: Helen E. Hartnell - Oakland, CA Oct 18, 2010

I will always remember Mr. Harriss as a strong father, neighbor, community member and as host of wonderful neighborhood gatherings. Mr. and Mrs. Harriss helped teach a lot of young people how to be loving, caring adults. What a great legacy!

Posted by: Beth Lengyel Perkins - New London, NH Oct 18, 2010

We are thinking of you and send our condolences.

Posted by: Jill and Becca Boyea - El Paso, TX Oct 17, 2010

Donald was a great leader of the class of 1948 and a wonderful and thoughtful friend.He enabled his classmates to enjoy our many memories and renew warm friendships. He will be missed by all of us. Our sympathies go out to his warm and supporting family. He was proud of all of you. Our thoughts are with you-Thelma and Ray Goldberg

Posted by: Ray Goldberg - Cambridge, MA Oct 16, 2010

We are thinking of you and praying for you at this time of sorrow. Uncle Donald was always a person to strive to be like, and live with the enthusiasm and energy he had. He will be missed, and his generation has a void that will probably never be filled.

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